Conservatives scrap "pointless" medical tests for welfare claimants

More than two million people claim employment and support allowance (ESA) of up to £109 a week (Source: Getty)

Jake Cordell

People who are unable to work due to serious illness or medical conditions will no longer have to undergo "pointless" reassessments in order to receive benefits, the government has announced today.

The new changes will mean tens of thousands of people with lifelong conditions will not have to face repeated medical tests, which can take place as often as once every three months, to renew their eligibility for employment and support allowance (ESA).

Announcing the change, Damian Green, secretary of state at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said: "We want the welfare state to work for everyone, just as we want the economy to work for everyone, and there are a group of people for whom constant reassessment is pointless and which does increase their stress and anxiety levels."

Those with shorter-term conditions or who could be deemed fit-for-work at some point in the future will still have to have reassessments, which can take place anywhere between once every three months of two years.